FiiO K9 Pro ESS

Combo DAC/desktop amp with ESS chip
€722,49 €849,99 €722,49 per 
Combo DAC/Desktop Amplifier version ESS.
Details

FiiO K9 PRO ESS, move to the rhythm of power

The FiiO K9 PRO ESS is FiiO's new DAC/Amplifier combo that integrates a pair of ES9038PRO DAC chips specifically designed for maximum performance in stationary equipment. Precisely one ES9038PRO chip is used, with 8 parallel outputs for each channel to achieve a sound rich in detail with minimal distortion.

Designed for the most demanding

THX AAA 788+ chips used K9 PRO ESS providing detail and dynamics regardless of the type of low or high impedance headphones.

The K9 PRO ESS can produce 1100mW undistorted at 300 Ohms load and 2100 mW undistorted at 32 Ohms load, 50% more than the original THX AAA 788 amplifier chips.

Six-stage audio circuit

Each audio signal of the FiiO K9 PRO ESS passes through a 6-stage circuit. Fully differential signals pass through the DAC, volume adjustment and amplifier for a balanced design.

This design ensures minimal interference between the various components to maintain all the details and large dynamic changes in the music.

Analog and digital sections

The K9 PRO ESS printed circuit board uses a split design where not only are the power supply and signals separated, but the analog signal loop is also placed in a separate section, to ensure the integrity of the audio signal.

Pure sound and digital energy

The digital parts of the K9 PRO ESS are physically powered separately from the analog parts for effective protection against interference between the two circuits. This ensures faithful reproduction.

During the optimization process of the linear power supply of the K9 PRO ESS, a low frequency transformer 4 massive capacitors of 4700uF have been integrated, ensuring a clean and abundant energy for the whole system.

Quality and quantity for all stages

In addition to the special high-performance linear power supply, power stabilization and filtering within the audio circuit also contribute greatly to the excellent sound of the K9 PRO ESS. This is possible because in each stage of the audio circuit, ultra-low noise LDOs are employed for voltage regulation.

Dual clocks for precise management

A dual-mode clock management design is used in this FiiO K9 PRO ESS. In USB and Bluetooth decoding, dual asynchronous femtosecond clocks are used, while in optical and coaxial decoding, automatic PLL clocks are used. A more accurate clock management system makes it easier to handle any type of source while maintaining the highest quality.

Includes MQA Renderer

The K9 PRO ESS supports MQA track deployment, allowing you to listen to high-resolution audio files while retaining master-level sound quality and take it directly to the recording studio.

High resolution Bluetooth

The FiiO K9 PRO ESS incorporates Qualcomm QCC5124 to handle Bluetooth tasks, with support for formats such as LDAC, aptX HD and aptX Adaptive. This chip ensures that Bluetooth connections are fast, satisfying the low latency needs for gaming/video and the high bit rate needed for high resolution audio.

Essential volume adjustment

The ADC volume adjustment curve used in the K9 PRO ESS effectively minimizes any volume and noise imbalance in the left-right channel. In addition, it results in smooth volume change at all levels.

Illuminating the mood

The RGB indicator lights surrounding the volume knob may light up differently depending on the sample rate currently playing.

Three gain levels available

With the K9 PRO ESS you can adapt to the needs of your headphones thanks to the pure hardware gain circuit. Both dynamic range and musical fidelity are kept perfectly present for you to enjoy your headphones and squeeze out their full power.

Connectors to choose from

The front of the K9 PRO ESS houses numerous connectors. These include the 4-pin XLR, 4.4mm balanced and 6.35mm single-ended headphone output.

On the other side and at the rear, we find a balanced 4.4mm line input, coaxial input, optical, Bluetooth, RCA, USB, RCA SE output and balanced XLR*2.

Finally, on the side, we have a USB-C port.

Refreshing, modern and with customized support

The included custom bracket not only reduces the amount of space the K9 PRO ESS takes up on the desktop, but also allows for more efficient heat dissipation through convection, making the bracket a true example of both form and function.

The renaissance of a multipurpose device

It is evident that the K9 PRO ESS achieves versatility in all its facets, not only because of its internal components, but also because of its ability to adapt to any equipment:

  • Connect your headphones
  • Connect your active home speakers
  • Connect your mobile devices via USB-C
  • Use the balanced RCA + XLR outputs for HiFi devices
  • Use the control app and bluetooth connection to take advantage of the wireless benefits of the K9 PRO ESS
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Specifications

General specifications

  • Modelo: K9 Pro ESS    
  • DAC: ES9038PRO*2, USB: XMOS XUF208, Bluetooth: QCC5124, LPF: OPA1612 * 2,
  • Volume IC: NJU72315 * 2, AMP: THX AAA 788+ * 2, Linear Transformer: THAILIN/BingZi
  • Color: Black   
  • Volume Shift: Potentiometer sampling+ADC
  • Weight: ≈2750g     
  • Channel balance: L12~R12 (0.5dB per level)
  • Gain: L/M/H  
  • FiiO Control: Supported
  • Bluetooth format indication: Supported  
  • Sample Rate Indication: Supported
  • Firmware update: System firmware and Bluetooth version can be updated via USB
  • Deep standby mode: Press and hold the multi-function button for about 3 seconds
  • Low battery reminder
  • Dimensions: 200x224,5x72 mm
  • Bluetooth transmission / Bluetooth receiver (5.0) AAC/SBC/aptX/aptX LL/aptX HD/LDAC/atpX Adaptive
  • Bluetooth format indicator SBC: blue, AAC: cyan, aptX HD: yellow, aptX: violet, aptX LL: violet, LDAC: white, atpX Adaptive: green   
  • Charging indicator
  • Maximum supported sampling rate: 384kHz-32bit/DSD256 (USB DAC)
  • Recommended headphone impedance: 16~600 Ω, 192kHz-24bit (coaxial), 96KHz-24bit (optical).
  • Buttons and interfaces:
  • Physical key + toggle switch.   
  • USB Type-C, USB B (data transmission)
  • Single-ended line input interface: RCA plug
  • Balanced line input interface: 4.4mm balanced socket
  • SPDIF: Fiber-optic jack
    Coaxial digital input interface: RCA plug
  • Balanced output interface: 4.4 mm jack, balanced XLR4 jack  
  • Headphone output interface: Standard 6.35 mm socket
  • Balanced line output interface: XLR3 balanced socket  
  • Single-ended line output interface: RCA jack
  • Power parameters
  • Power supply: AC 110-115 V~/AC 220-230 V~ (Recommended)

Line output specifications

  • THD+N:<0.00042% (1kHz/10kΩ/dbA)    
  • SNR: ≥123dB (dbA)
  • Diafonía: ≥115dB (1kHz/10kΩ)    
  • Piso de ruido: <1,9 μV (dbA)
  • Respuesta frecuente: 20Hz~20kHz (-3dB)    
  • Nivel de línea: 2,5 Vrms (1 kHz/10 kΩ)


Specifications single-ended 6.35mm headphone output

  • Potencia de salida continua sin distorsiones 1: ≥1.1W (16Ω / THD+N<1%, ENTRADA AUX)   
  • Impedancia de salida:<1Ω(32Ω)
  • Potencia de salida continua sin distorsiones 2: ≥2.1W(32Ω/THD+N<1%,ENTRADA AUX)   
  • Diafonía: ≥75dB (1 kHz/32Ω,ENTRADA AUXILIAR)
  • Potencia de salida continua sin distorsiones 3: ≥281mW(300Ω / THD+N<1%,ENTRADA AUXILIAR)    
  • THD+N: <0,00033 % (1 kHz/32 Ω/dbA)
  • Piso de ruido:<2μV(dbA,ENTRADA AUXILIAR), <3μV(db A,ENTRADA UAC/SPDIF/BT)
  • SNR: ≥12 9dB (dbA)
  • Respuesta frecuente: 20Hz~50kHz (-1.5dB)    
  • Voltaje de salida máximo: >26Vp-p

Balanced headphone output specifications (4.4mm / XLR4)

  • Potencia de salida continua sin distorsiones 1: ≥1.1W(16Ω / THD+N<1%)    
  • Impedancia de salida: <1Ω(32Ω)
  • Potencia de salida continua sin distorsiones 2: ≥2.1W(32Ω /THD+N<1%)   
  • Diafonía: ≥114dB (1 kHz,ENTRADA AUXILIAR)
Do you have questions about this or other products in our catalogue? Contact us
Reviews

Customer Reviews

Based on 3 reviews
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F
F.J.G.L.
El sonido del trueno

Buenas tardes, acabo de probar éste K9 PRO ESS,
no tengo palabras, sólo oídos. Lo tengo conectado a mi PC (soy gamer desde mi primer Amstrad 1512, ya son años).
Jugar a Diablo IV con éste sonido a nublado mis sentidos. No quiero ni imaginarme, cómo sonará la música con éste aparato..
Ya lo voy a probar...
Gracias a Zococity. Saludos.

M
Manuel Arlandis
Fabuloso DAC/amp por el precio

Dispuesto a ver hasta donde eran capaces de llegar mis Sundara y con una experiencia más o menos decepcionante con un DAP HIBY R3 pro saber y un Audioquest Dragonfly cobalt amplificado por un amplificador portátil NFCA Topping NX7.
La primera impresión sorprendente. Sorprende la cantidad de microinformaciones que me estaba perdiendo. Pequeños matices de lo que acompaña a la música: ambiente, separación instrumental, ruidos de la sala en general. Mejora automáticamente la escena que se amplia por arte de magia. Los instrumentos están sueltos y cobran vida. En fin , estoy descubriendo nuevamente mi colección de música (escucho clásica , ópera y algo de Jazz). OBJETIVO CUMPLIDO: los Sundara ahora parece que suenan a tope. ENCANTADISIMO.
Siguiente impresión: conecto el DAC para compararlo con mi dac de referencia doméstica: LINN DS Majik (con dac del 2009) que alimenta a un equipo linn multiamplificado. La primera impresión era que la salida daba un sonido “más fuerte”. Tras igualar la salida con una configuración del previo, escucho también la música más definida y aireada, es decir MEJOR. Sorpresa mayúscula, pues ya tengo un DAC aparentemente mejor que el antiguo LINN, pero a 5 veces menos de su precio.
Conclusión: DAC (ESS 9038 pro x2) de excelente calidad para el precio y la sección de amplificación THX para mover mis Sundara, increíblemente solvente, lo que ya me está haciendo pensar en mejorar los auriculares.
Producto altamente recomendable en mi opinión. Supercontento con la compra

A
Agustí Escarré
Buen servicio

Tuve un problema despues de unos meses de utilizar y Zococity reaccionó super rápido y efectivo

Questions and answers